Investigation continues into drowning of Fort Morgan teenager

Posted:
09/03/2013 04:15:19 PM MDT

Updated:
09/03/2013 04:16:46 PM MDT

The Morgan County Sheriff's Office is investigating the apparent drowning of a teenager at a private pond northeast of the Fort Morgan City limits Monday afternoon.Deputies, Fort Morgan Police and Fire and Morgan County Ambulance responded to a 3:35 p.m. 911 call reporting the drowning at the pond east of Barlow Road, north of I76, and were met on Barlow Road by a private vehicle transporting two victims to the hospital.One teenager was in full cardiac arrest and advanced life support measures were begun by responders. A second teen was conscious but suffering from apparent near-drowning. Both were transported by ambulance to Colorado Plains Medical Center where despite efforts of emergency room staff, 16-year old Andres Rodriguez was pronounced dead about an hour later.Seventeen-year old Ramiro Bayardo of Fort Morgan, was admitted to CPMC in apparent stable condition.Preliminary investigation indicates the teens and another man were swimming across the pond and the man tired and began to swim back. Romero became distressed and the man came back and attempted to rescue him but Romero nearly overcame him as he fought to keep from drowning.Another man swam out to Romero and began to pull him to shore. Meanwhile Andres, who was further away but closer to shore, also became distressed and began to go under.After rescuing Romero, the second man began to look for Andres who had gone underwater. After several minutes of searching, he was able to see Andres underwater, dive down and pull him up and help get him to shore.

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He and others then put both teens in a vehicle and drove them to Barlow Road where they met rescuers.Andres, who is from Vallejo, California had lived in Fort Morgan over the summer.Investigation continues by the sheriff's office and Morgan County Coroner's Office. Anyone with information should contact Investigator Kelvin Bernhardt or Lt. Jon Horton at 970-867-2461.